Integration of safety technologies into rheumatology and orthopedics practices: a randomized, controlled trial. Arthritis and rheumatism [Arthritis Rheum] Journal article | | Title | Integration of safety technologies into rheumatology and orthopedics practices: a randomized, controlled trial. | | Author(s) | Moorjani GR, Bedrick EJ, Michael AA, Peisajovich A, Sibbitt WL, Bankhurst AD | | Institution | University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. | | Source | Arthritis Rheum 2008 Jul; 58(7):1907-14. | | Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To identify and integrate new safety technologies into outpatient musculoskeletal procedures and measure the effect on outcome, including pain.
METHODS: Using national resources for patient safety and literature review, the following safety technologies were identified: a safety needle to reduce inadvertent needlesticks to heath care workers, and the reciprocating procedure device (RPD) to improve patient safety and reduce pain. Five hundred sixty-six musculoskeletal procedures involving syringes and needles were randomized to either an RPD group or a conventional syringe group, and pain, quality, safety, and physician acceptance were measured.
RESULTS: During 566 procedures, no accidental needlesticks occurred with safety needles. Use of the RPD resulted in a 35.4% reduction (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 24-46%) in patient-assessed pain (mean +/- SD scores on a visual analog pain scale [VAPS] 3.12 +/- 2.23 for the RPD and 4.83 +/- 3.22 for the conventional syringe; P < 0.001) and a 49.5% reduction (95% CI 34-64%) in patient-assessed significant pain (VAPS score > or =5) (P < 0.001). Physician acceptance of the RPD combined with a safety needle was excellent.
CONCLUSION: As mandated by the Joint Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, safety technologies and the use of pain scales can be successfully integrated into rheumatologic and orthopedic procedures. The combination of a safety needle to reduce needlestick injuries to health care workers and the RPD to improve safety and outcome of patients is effective and well accepted by physicians. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 18576358 |
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